Dooley hired as Dallas Cowboys receivers coach

KNOXVILLE – After weeks of speculation, former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley was officially named the wide receivers coach for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.

Dooley confirmed the news on his Twitter account, saying, “Headed to don the Silver and Blue!” with an attached picture of a Cowboys shirt.

The Cowboys have also confirmed the news via their official website.

Dooley first interviewed with the Cowboys the week of the Senior Bowl (Jan. 26) and reports of him joining their staff quickly surfaced after that point. Over a week later, the move is now official.

The former UT head coach finished his time in Knoxville with a 15-21 record with his best season coming in his first year in 2010. The Vols finished 6-7 that season after an overtime loss to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl.

Dooley was fired on Nov. 18 of 2012 shortly after the Vols were blown out 41-18 at Vanderbilt to push their record to 4-7. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney took over as the interim coach for the Vols' season-ending win over Kentucky.

Despite Tennessee’s struggles during his tenure, Dooley did help develop several top-flight receivers, the position he’ll be coaching in Dallas. Justin Hunter and Cordarelle Patterson are expected to be picked in the early rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft. Zach Rogers could be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent as well.

Denarius Moore was a fifth-round selection of the Oakland Raiders after having a strong senior season under Dooley in 2010.

Da’Rick Rogers, who was dismissed from the program in August, could also be a high draft pick after spending two seasons under Dooley before playing his junior season at Tennessee Tech.

Dooley will replace Jimmy Robinson, who is transitioning to a role as a senior consultant for the franchise. He’s also reuniting with Dallas head coach Jason Garrett. Dooley and Garrett were both assistant coaches on coach Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins staff in 2005 and 2006.